Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Disease suspected to be caused by Ross River virus infection of horses.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 2008
- Authors:
- El-Hage, C M et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Primary Industries · Australia
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Four horses in the Bellarine peninsula area of south-west Victoria, Australia, became seriously ill, and it was suspected that the Ross River virus (RRV), which is spread by mosquitoes, was the cause. These horses showed symptoms like small spots of bleeding on their skin, swollen lymph nodes, swelling in their legs, and they were hesitant to move. Blood tests showed that three of the horses had high levels of fibrinogen, a protein that can indicate inflammation or infection, and all four had signs of an acute infection with RRV. Although the virus itself wasn't found, the presence of specific antibodies in their blood confirmed they were likely infected. This situation is notable because it connects specific health issues in horses to RRV, supported by blood test results.
Abstract
Ross River Virus (RRV) was believed to be the cause of acute illness in four horses around the Bellarine peninsula in south-west Victoria, Australia. The horses presented with clinical signs including petechial haemorrhages, lymphadenopathy, distal limb swelling and reluctance to move. Fibrinogen was also elevated in three of the four horses. Whilst no virus was isolated, serological testing revealed elevated RRV IgM titres in all horses indicating acute infection. The outbreak occurred at a time when a known RRV vector, the mosquito Aedes camptorhynchus was recorded at very high levels in the region. This report is one of very few to attribute specific signs of disease to RRV in horses in conjunction with serological evidence of infection.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18782422/